What Does a General Contractor Do?

If you’ve ever been involved in any building work, whether it be a remodeling project or the construction of a new home, you may be familiar with the term “general contractor.” General contractors have become essential allies for anyone planning an extensive renovation or building project. But if not, then you may be wondering: what does a general contractor do? Read on to find out!

Manage the Construction Process

General contractors are responsible for seeing projects through to completion, often leading their team through long hours of labor to ensure customer satisfaction. 

With strong leadership and exceptional organizational skills, they are critical pieces of the puzzle during any large-scale construction endeavor.

Hire and Supervise Subcontractors

A general contractor is responsible for coordinating and managing every construction project aspect. This includes hiring subcontractors, ordering materials, and ensuring everything complies with relevant codes and regulations.

Obtain Necessary Building Permits

It is up to the general contractor to analyze existing structures and zoning regulations while providing accurate information on material requirements and estimated costs. 

Ensure Compliance with Building Codes

General contractors often need to evaluate blueprints and inspect any changes made during construction to check for compliance.They may also need to be knowledgeable about and coordinate with local government departments for zoning restrictions or other requirements. 

Staying ahead of issues throughout a project is essential to ensure that everything is up to code upon completion.

Manage the Budget

The general contractor shoulders responsibility for ensuring the successful completion of construction projects while adhering to the customer’s desired budget.

This is why it’s so important to be transparent about your budget with your contractor, as they’ll help keep you on track.

Schedule and Coordinate Construction

General contractors develop a detailed schedule so that all parties involved understand the timeline, roles, tasks, and expectations. 

This includes creating work plans and effective strategies to ensure the efficient completion of jobs while managing their team’s safety and progress. 

License Requirements for General Contractors

Becoming a licensed general contractor can be a complicated and timely process. Every state has its individual information and licensing requirements. There are multiple types of licensing requirements, such as

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Residential

Each requires general contractors to meet certain qualifications and criteria. They often vary between areas, but generally require relevant construction experience, the passage of an exam or series of exams, proof of insurance coverage, and payment of various fees during the application process. Many areas also require background checks to ensure applicants have no criminal records or credit issues. 

Since requirements can vary by area, potential licensees need to get familiar with their province’s unique regulations to become qualified general contractors.

Conclusion

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the contractor is essential for successful communication between customer and professional. Even if you don’t have any experience in construction, you can still make your vision come alive with an experienced and knowledgeable general contractor. All that remains is making sure you find one that matches your requirements!

Need a general contractor? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the J Bond Construction team, and get started on your next project today.